The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Vienna from 13-17 May 2024, was established in 1992. Through United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime networks in Africa (UNODC_EA), women are empowered to combat cybercrime and organized crime and help mainstream gender and human rights.

H.E Amb. of the Republic of Kenya to Vienna Maurice Makoloo participated as a panelist during the Commission’s side event entitled “Mentoring momentum: empowering women in Africa on countering cybercrime and transnational organized crime”. Ambassador Makoloo made remarks focusing on the role of the sector-wide approach in criminal justice reform, and highlighted the importance of reforming justice systems through a coordinated, efficient and consultative approach.

The side event took place on 13 May 2024 at the Vienna International Centre, and was organized by the UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa with the support of Germany, Kenya, the UNODC Office of the Executive Director, the UNODC Global Programme on Cybercrime and Money-Laundering Section, and the UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention.

The event was focused on women's networks as powerful tools in advocating for and improving women’s representation in decision-making positions. Indeed, networks have the potential to equip women with the skills and contacts necessary to excel in their careers and to ultimately strengthen female representation in crime prevention and criminal justice responses. This has been further recognised in the UNODC Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (2022-2026), which emphasizes the transformative impact of women's leadership in addressing crime and advocating for equal opportunities in decision-making processes. To achieve this, UNODC has launched and supported the establishment of several women networks.

This side event raised awareness about the impact of female mentorship in advancing gender mainstreaming efforts across UNODC programmes. It showcased existing women networks within the Global Programme on Cybercrime, the Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention and the Transnational Organized Crime Programme in Eastern Africa, emphasizing their role in mentoring and supporting women professionals and the impact of UNODC mentoring networks in advancing gender equality and women's leadership within the criminal justice sector.

• https://x.com/MMakoloo https://x.com/MMakoloo
• https://x.com/KenyaEmbVienna https://x.com/KenyaEmbVienna
• https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/gender/events/2024-ccpcj-side-event-mentoring-momentum.html https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/gender/events/2024-ccpcj-side-event-mentoring-momentum.html